xlii A>m7(al General Meeting, December \\ 1914. 



sown, the dock seeds would have amounled to over 9,000 to the acre, and if the 

 significance of that small percentage of dock seed were realised be was sure 

 that, a much greater number of samples would be sent to the Society for 

 analysis. He only tendered those few remarks to show the importance of the 

 Report that was put before them. 



Mr. Sherwood formally seconded the motion. 



Mr. J. Metters regretted that the Society had not been able to see its way 

 to carry out the proposed trials of motor ploughs and tractors. Farmers were 

 very disappointed with this decision. They had been looking forward to seeing 

 the ploughs, and to getting societies formed to start them. If ever there had 

 been a time when motor tractors and ploughs were needed, it was the present, 

 owing to the loss of horses and men to the country. He did not think the trials 

 need be a great expense. 



Mr. Russell supported Mr. Metters, and said that horses were all being 

 taken for the war, and it was a hardship to those men with light horses. It 

 was the time of all others for the Royal Agricultural Society to encourage the 

 makers to produce the best machine they could, and consult and examine the 

 produce of the different makers, so as to give farmers a line as to what they 

 should go for. It was absolutely essential that they should have motor-traction, 

 as otherwise the land could not be ploughed, and if that were not done, the 

 plough land would be laid down to grass, and there would be less corn, when 

 they wanted more and more corn. It was their duty to encourage motor 

 traction in every possible way. 



Mr. William Harrison said the reason for the adjournment of the motor- 

 tractor trials was not one from the point of view of finance alone, but that the 

 makers of motor-tractors were at the present time so much engaged in making 

 accoutrements and motor-cars for the Government, that they would not be able 

 to give their specific attention to machines for the trials. For these reasons 

 the Committee had thought it advisable to postpone the trials for twelve 

 months. 



A Me.mber suggested that in these times they ought to save money, and he 

 noticed there was an item in the account for the Surveyor for SOOZ. This seemed 

 to him to be a lot of money just to survey the show-ground. 



The Chairman said he did not think the speaker realised the amount of 

 work done by the Surveyor ; in fact, their expenditure on that head was a 

 reduction on what it was formerly. 



The Report was then received and adopted. 



Election of President. 



Mr. Fitzherbert-Brockholes said that it was with very great pleasure 

 indeed that he moved that the Duke of Portland be elected President of the 

 Society, to hold office until the next ensuing annual general meeting. In doing 

 so, it was unnecessary for him to enlarge on his Grace's qualifications for the 

 post, and the reasons for which they hoped he would accept it. As they all 

 knew, he was a very large landowner, but that in itself would only be half a 

 qualification. When a large landowner like the Duke of Portland also showed 

 an active and practical interest in agriculture, there were the two necessary' 

 qualifications. They knew the excellence of his work as President of the 

 Horse-breeding Commission, and they knew of the good work he did in other 

 ways, and therefore it was with great pleasure and the feeling that it would be 

 unanimously accepted, that he moved the resolution. 



Major Craigie said it was with very great pleasure that he seconded 

 the nomination. He was quite sure that the recommendation the Council had 

 made was one that would be heartily receivetl by the Societ}'. They would 

 rejoice to know that the long roll of honour which they had in their Presidents 

 would be continued by the election of one with so prominent and so eminent a 

 record as that possessed by the Duke of Portland. All those who knew 

 anything of his work would be satisfied that in these arduous and strenuous 



